CITING socio-economic impact of locking down the country to stem the spread of COVID-19, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said the Federal Government will not impose another lockdown on the country.
Addressing newsmen in Lagos on Monday, the Minister said, “I don’t think there is anywhere the Federal Government said it will impose another lock-down.
“However, the Federal Government is not happy that Nigerians are not observing all the Covid-19 protocols like washing of hands and wearing of face masks.
“The Federal Government is aware of the economic and social implications of having another lock-down.
“The Federal Government will, however, urge Nigerians to follow all the Covid-19 protocols.
“Nigeria has increased testing labs to 100.
“From just two national reference laboratories for the testing of COVID-19, we now have over 100 laboratories, public and private, across all the states of the federation.
“Treatment centres were also built, in collaboration with the states and the private sector (CA-COVID), across the country to isolate and treat cases of Covid-19, while the Federal Government, through the Sustainable Production Pillar of the PTF, has been encouraging local manufacturing companies to embark on the production of consumables such as face masks, ventilators, hand sanitizers and face shields.
“To mitigate the impact of Covid-19 on the economy across all levels, the Federal Government unveiled the Economic Sustainability Plan to support families, small and medium enterprises and the manufacturing sector, among others.”
